Shusterman announces re-election bid
State Rep. Melissa Shusterman has announced she will seek re-election to the 157th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
In 2018, Democrat Shusterman ousted four-term Republican incumbent Rep. Warren Kampf by over 4,000 votes and nearly 14 percentage points. Shusterman launched her campaign in 2018 with promises to fight against special interests that control the Pennsylvania Legislature, fight for an equitable economy, gun reform, and environmental sustainability, and bring her “commonsense business perspective to Pennsylvania politics.”
During her first term in office, Shusterman says she has secured more than $2 million in state funding for the 157th District, held 20 events in the district, sponsored or cosponsored over 180 pieces of legislation, and opened two district offices. Shusterman was appointed to Judiciary Committee where she serves as Democratic Secretary, Aging & Older Adult Services, Tourism & Recreational Development, where she serves as Democratic Chair of its subcommittee on Arts & Education and co-chairs the Intellectual Disabilities & Autism Caucus. In addition, Shusterman serves as a Deputy Whip, the first freshman ever appointed to that position. Shusterman has worked on multiple pieces of legislation throughout her first term, according to a press release announcing her reelection bid.
• To promote economic growth, she has sponsored HB 719, which would reform the Second Stage Loan program which would bring more jobs to Pennsylvania in the life sciences industry, one of the fastest growing sectors in Pennsylvania.
• To protect our environment, Shusterman has proposed a bill that would ban small, single-use plastics in the hospitality industry, saving over 100,000 pounds of plastic and millions of dollars.
• Shusterman has acted on gun violence by sponsoring a bill that would ban firearms in magisterial district courts, keeping our judges, law enforcement, and victims safe, and a bill that would require training before buying semiautomatic assault rifles.
“It’s been an honor to serve my community as your state representative this term,” said Shusterman. “But there is more work to be done to create a more functional and transparent government. Pennsylvania has the opportunity to be a leader in renewable energy, public education, infrastructure and a 21st century economy. I will work to continue to make these opportunities our reality if reelected. I look forward to continuing this work for my community and our state.”
Before serving as state representative, Shusterman worked in the video production industry and ran her own business. The 157th District includes Tredyffrin and Schuylkill Townships and parts of Phoenixville Borough in Chester County and parts of Upper Providence Township in Montgomery County.
The Primary Election will take place on April 28. The General Election is Nov 3.